Choice Morsels From the Word

Mary had just been told by the angel, Gabriel, something that seemed impossible (and it certainly was impossible by man). Mary even asked, "How shall this be" (vs. 34) but we see, although she did not completely know how it would happen, she expressed complete confidence and faith in the word of God, and His promise. Hard to believe, impossible in my mind and ignorance to believe, but I believe God, so therefore I believe what He says no matter how strange or far-fetched it sounds.

Mary no doubt thought what will this news do to Joseph, my beloved? Will he stay with me? Will he go through with the marriage? What will my family, my friends, and society say? What will the religious rulers do? Will they seek to stone me according to the law? But in it all, she seems to be content. Lord, be it according to thy word and everything will be alright.

First, is this not to be our attitude in our prayer life? Be it according to thy word, Thy will, for my life. Mary did not argue, but simply submitted to God's will for her. Do we respond to God's Word with reverence and faithful acceptance, or do we, as Zacharias did (Luke 1:11-20) respond with doubt and unbelief?

We have examples throughout Scripture in which men and women of God responded positively, in faith and action upon God's Word and will and also others who responded in unbelief and faithlessness. My thoughts go back to Genesis six where we read of Noah, who seemingly reacted in perfect faith and obedience even though there had to be many questions in his mind. How would this be - a worldwide flood? Where would the waters come from? How in the world can I build what you have given me to build? What will my family, neighbors, and friends say? They will no doubt think I am crazy. But Noah faithfully believed God's Word and His will and did the work of faith, under I am sure a great many obstacles.

I also think of Moses, a great man of God who was willing to leave the riches of Egypt to do the work of the Lord and to help his people (Heb. 11:24-27). Yet he thought he knew how best to do God's will, and he failed (Exodus 2:11-15). Later (40 years later) God came to Moses (Exodus 3, 4) to tell him it was now time for him to lead the chosen people of God out of Egypt, but Moses, instead of acting in faith and humility, began to offer excuses why he could not do what God's will for him was. Moses gave five excuses in all, and God patiently answers each one, until Moses was willing to do and follow God's will. All too often we are quick in our condemnation of Moses' lack of faith, but how often do we do the very same thing? God impresses upon our heart to speak for Him or serve Him, to reach out to another that is in need and we begin by giving excuses. Admit it, both you and I have done so.

May we learn to be as Mary,".... be it unto me according to thy word ...." (Lk. 1:38).

Christmas - the time of year that for Christians should be a time of rejoicing for our Saviour, our salvation is born! It is sad to hear so many get so caught up in what man has made of the season that we forget why we celebrate. Too many get so busy they do not know what way they are going and become frustrated, over wrought and just wish the season would pass. Why? Is this what Christ would desire? Can this be pleasing to our Lord? Is our Saviour being honored and glorified with all our activities which only seem to bring frustration because we just don't have time?

As the above text tells us, this should be a time of rejoicing. Man is without hope, lost, undone, in our sins, yet God sent a Saviour. If that, doesn't light your fire your wood's all wet. We are told in Luke 2:13, 14 that the angels praised God at Christ birth, what should a sinful man or women, boy or girl be doing? "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation" (Ps. 35:9). "Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified" (Ps. 40:16). "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation" (Isa. 25:9). "Yet will I rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Hab. 3:18).

Jesus Christ has a cleansing virtue. He fills the soul with joy, peace, contentment, in whatever state we find ourselves. However, sometimes our soul is hardened like flint rock, and when the blessings of God are showering down upon us, they are not absorbed and we continue in our hardened way and do not receive the blessings that the Lord has for us.

What shall it be this time of year? Complaining because we don't have time or rejoicing that our saviour is born? Frustrated because we can't find that gift for a particular person, or rejoicing our salvation has come?

Christmas - a wonderful time of year, but so sad also when we think that most people have no idea why we celebrate.

An October Harris Poll found that 42% of Americans are unsure that God exists. That is interesting since 80% of Americans claim to be Christians. Seventy-six percent of Protestants expressed with absolute certainty that God exists, but only 64% of Catholics and 30% of Jews are convinced. Those who claimed to be "born again" only 92% were certain that God exists. How can you be born again if you are not sure God exists? Forty­ four percent of those polled believe God observes, but does not control what happens on the earth, only 29% believe God is in command.

As we celebrate Christmas and Christ's first coming upon this earth to die for us that we may have eternal life, may we consider that His next coming has to be getting closer.

When we read the Christmas story in Luke chapters 1 and 2 we realize that most were not really looking for the Messiah. Matthew tells us that it will be the same at His next coming. "As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark." (Matt. 24:37, 38). People just living for the day, just same old life, no change, no preparation, no planning, just living for the day.

One thing we can be 100% sure of, we are closer to the Lord's return today then we were yesterday, are we truly living in expectancy of that day? "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:42). "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). Will we be glad to see His return? Will we rejoice? Or will we"... be ashamed before Him at His coming ....?" (I John 2:28).

Thinking on Christmas Carols, this Carol is not found in most hymn books. Although the song may be unfamiliar, perhaps you have heard it before. The Carol's name is "While By Our Sheep" a German Carol, written in the 17 century. Today the title is "How Great Our Joy."

Have you ever wondered what it must have been like, sitting in the cold night air, watching over your sheep, when the announcement came to you first of the birth of your Savior? The announcement that the Messiah has been born, you are the first to know. Not the rulers, not the priests, scribes or Sanhedrin, but you an outcast, uncouth shepherd. The carol has four verses:

While by our sheep we watched at night, glad tidings bro 't an angel bright.
There shall be born, so he did say, in Bethlehem a child today.
There shall the child lie in a stall-
this child who shall redeem us all.
The gift of God we'll cherish well, Jesus, our Lord Emmanuel.
Refrain: How great our joy! Great our joy!
Joy,JO. Y,J.Oy.' Joy,JO. Y,J.Oy.'
Praise we the Lord in heav'n on high!
Praise we the Lord in heav'n on high!

What joy the shepherds must of felt that night as they made their way to Bethlehem, leaving their sheep alone to pay their respect, love, and worship to their Savior. Luke 2:10 tells us the angel announced that he brought them, "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." Our Text verse says, "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

At this time of year, many children are waiting for Santa Claus. Many are waiting for parties, presents, and celebrations, but few are waiting for Christ. In the above text we read of a man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel; for the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Jesse Jackson said that Christmas is about a homeless couple trying to get along in a mean world. Is, that what Christmas is about? Hillary Clinton said that Christmas celebrates the birth of a homeless child. What Bible are these people reading? Barbara Reynolds, a reporter said, Christmas is about a pregnant unwed teenage girl. No, Christmas is not about poverty, homelessness or about teenage pregnancy, but it's about the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

But notice who were really looking for this event to take place in Luke 2. The shepherds were looking, for the angel came to them. An old man (not a priest) was looking, by the name of Simeon, (vs. 25) and an old widow was looking by the name of Anna (vs. 36).

From Matthew 2 we learn the political powers that be were not looking. Herod did not want to hear of this child's birth. The religious leaders were not looking, when they heard of his birth from the wise men, they did not go see him. Most everybody was satisfied doing their own thing, and Christ birth was not even noticed.

Today we may say the same. People are looking for many things, but a Saviour is not one of those things. You know, when it breaks our hearts to see the attitude of many around us, just what is it doing to God? Jesus wept over Jerusalem because it rejected Him, what is he doing today?

Let's make sure that we are not one of those who are not looking forward to the coming of our bridegroom. As John said in Rev. 22:20, "... Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

We are officially in what is referred to as the Christmas season. It is a good time of year if we put Jesus Christ first. It is good to be thankful, good to remember our Lord Jesus' birth, and not only that, but his death for us as well, for without His death, his birth would not mean anything.

Was Jesus born in December, in winter? We do not know exactly when he was born. It was in the fourth century that December 25th appears in writings as Jesus' birthday. Just for the sake of argument (or maybe I should say discussion) some believe he may have been born in the spring, in April. The origin of April Fool’s Day, has never been accounted for, but some believe it began as a mockery of those who remembered the birth of Christ as being fools and is acknowledged that April first was Jesus birthday. Others believe the 7th day of creation was April first, and the completion of the temple was on April first. Well, we do not know.

What does need to be remembered and celebrated more than Christmas, is Easter? That is the emphasis of the New Testament. In the New Testament only a few verses speak of his birth, but at least 22 refer explicitly to his resurrection. In Christ command to his apostles concerning the Lord's supper, they were commanded to remember his death, not his birth. The Gospel or Good News as referred to in I Cor. 15 is that Christ died according to the scriptures, was buried and rose again the third day according to the scripture. Sure Jesus had to be born or He could not have died, but His death and resurrection are what is important, His birth does not save us.

Christmas certainly is a wonderful time of year. There is nothing wrong in celebrating Christmas, if our celebration is centered around Jesus Christ and not the tree, Santa Claus, and gift giving and receiving. Too many people are like the lady who was tired, frustrated and just worn out, from all the shopping muttered to no one in particular, ''the one who started this Christmas mess should be taken out and hung." A man standing nearby said, you're too late, he already has been.

Thank God Jesus Christ did come, for only in Him is there eternal life. Is Jesus found in your heart today?